Temptation's Prisoners

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Book excerpt

Chapter One

June 16

Paul Braddock walked into Adam Mason’s office at 6:30 p.m. and immediately noticed that his partner wore a troubled expression. At six feet, two inches tall, Paul was ruggedly handsome. He had brown hair, a well-trimmed beard with occasional gray strands beginning to appear, and discerning blue eyes. “You okay?” Paul asked, sitting down in one of the visitor chairs across Adam’s desk.   

“Yeah, just the weight of the work ahead,” he replied. “I have a lot to do.”

Paul looked at him questioningly. “We always have a lot to do. Since when did that become a problem?”

“I’ll be okay,” Adam replied, obviously not wanting to say anything more. Adam was five-eleven and just a little overweight. He had black hair, and his eyes were a warm brown. Adam's round face made him look younger than his age and harmless—the nice guy everyone wants to meet.

Paul furrowed his brow and asked, “You sure everything is all right?”

Adam slowly nodded. “I think it will be.”

Paul knew his partner well enough to know that there was an unspoken problem. He asked, “You and Chris doing all right?”

“Yeah, though we don’t see each other much these days. Between my work here and her

counseling practice, one of us is usually working when the other is at home. Other than that, I think we’re okay.”

“How about you and Beth? You figure out how to make all the demands work?”

“Yep. So far,” Paul replied with a grin. “I know what you mean about the schedules. If I want to see Beth on a weekend, I usually have to visit an open house, but aside from that, we’re good.”

Adam smirked, and asked, “You guys ever have sex in an open house?”

Paul grinned, widely. “I have good memories and nothing to say.”

The law firm of Braddock and Mason had emerged, or escaped, depending on your perspective, from one of the mega law firms that did everything. Dearborn and Carter boasted six hundred and fifty lawyers working under the same banner and who were, for the most part, complete strangers. After six and seven years in the trenches, respectively, Paul Braddock and Adam Mason wanted to leave behind to start their own practice. Paul was an employment litigator, defending major corporations and insurance companies against claims of harassment, discrimination, whistle-blowing, and wrongful termination. His goal was to switch teams and represent the employees whose lives were damaged by harassment, discrimination or retaliation. Adam was a lawyer and an MBA, who worked as a Finance, Banking and Investment specialist, ready to manage portfolios for the benefit of his own firm. Paul and Adam hit it off and started having coffee together five years into their tenure. They found commonality in their ability not to take themselves too seriously, and the desire to work for their own benefit.

Fourteen months ago, they gave their notice and Braddock and Mason opened on the fifteenth floor of a Wilshire Blvd high rise that was glass, steel, fifty stories, and just like a hundred others in Los Angeles. They still worked long hours, but now it was for their own benefit. In the last four months, Paul had settled a couple of contingency cases and Adam had taken on four new wealth management and investment clients. He had also been asked to set up the Walker Family Trust, and upon completion, was given the assignment of managing the thirty million dollars and sixteen properties it contained. After almost fourteen months in operation, they were making slightly more than they had been at Dearborn. It appeared that they had achieved the control of their lives that they so desperately wanted. They were in charge of their own future and the possibilities were endless. Illusions can take so many forms.

Chapter Two

Three months later--September 27

            Paul walked down the stairs carrying his suitcase. He picked up his briefcase from the dining room table and walked towards the front door. Beth came from the kitchen and met him in the entryway. He put his bags down and threw his arms around her. Beth gave him a tender kiss and looked at him with worried eyes. “This is where it all begins,” she said. “I still can’t believe this is happening.”

            He nodded and replied, “I don’t want to leave you in case this all goes wrong.” He took a deep breath and said, “Please be careful. We all have to find a way through this and we won’t even know if everyone makes it for the next few days.”

She held him close, not wanting to let go; not wanting any of this. After a time, she slowly pulled back and asked, “Can we do this? Can we live on the run from people we can’t even identify?” She took a deep breath.

“We’re going to make it,” he said softly, trying his best to sound confident.

She nodded and asked, “How many will be watching your presentation to the employment lawyers tomorrow?”

            “There will be a couple of hundred lawyers, a number of HR people and a few insurance people trying to pick up a few tidbits before they go gambling or partying.” He paused and added, “Plus anyone who is there for other reasons.”

“So, you’ll have a lot of eyes on you,” she said. “That’s the good news.”

“I should be safe in a crowd,” he agreed. “Then I’ll disappear from the convention Sunday morning, so I don’t think I’ll sleep much tomorrow night.”

“I get it,” she said. “I don’t think that I’ll sleep from the moment you walk out that door.”

He reflected and then said, “Do you have everything you need for your transition?”

She nodded. Her liquid, brown eyes shone brightly as she said, “I’ll miss you.” Her dark hair framed a soft smile as he moved in closer and kissed her one more time.

            “I’ll miss you, too,” he replied. She reached down and rubbed his pants below his belt. “Not fair,” he said. “I have to leave now. Besides, I can’t think when you do that.”

            “Yes you can,” she replied grinning. “It’s just a matter of what you are thinking about.” She paused and then added, “Or maybe what you’re thinking with.”

            “You and I are going to be back in bed in about two minutes if you keep doing that,” he whispered. “That might be a good way to forget all this craziness.”

            “Something to remember me by until I see you again.” She gave him a hug and then said, “Promise me that you’ll see me again. I know that we can’t control everything that will happen, but promise me anyway.”

            Paul smiled and said, “I promise.” He picked up his bags she opened the door for him. He stepped outside and then looked back at her. “I love you.”

            “I love you, too.”

He nervously walked out into the early morning sunshine. After eight years of marriage, he was happier than he ever thought possible. The mess they were caught up in threatened everything and this life he loved was now hanging by a thread. He made a show of looking confident and happy as he walked to his car like it was just one more beautiful fall day; maintaining the illusion just a little longer. But it was all about to happen, and everything he valued could be lost. Maybe they would both be dead within the next few days. All he could do was play his part and hope the plan worked. In a matter of hours, he would be in Las Vegas, finalizing tomorrow’s presentation for the California lawyers traveling there to gather up fun and wisdom at the convention. His presentation had to be a successful distraction; a pretense to convince watchful eyes that he was living life as usual and not about to run.